Will my computer work with TotalMD?
You can see our technical requirements here. For the most part, any decent, modern computer will handle a TotalMD workstation just fine. For a Local Network Server, you’re going to want something with as much RAM as possible and a solid Intel i7 or Xeon or better processor. A Solid State Hard Drive (SSD) may be your most valuable spec, as it can handle the data workload better than a more traditional spinning platter Hard Drive (HDD). You’ll also want an ethernet wired network. An N or AC wireless router could potentially provide suitable latency rate, but a wired connection will be far more consistent.
If you’re using TotalMD’s Cloud solution, the power of your computer does not matter as much because the heavy lifting is being done by our servers. However, you are going to want a strong, reliable internet connection (ideally wired rather than wireless) and a modern enough computer that the built-in network card can handle the activity the service will ask of it.
Beyond hardware, be sure you are up to date with your Windows software and that you have the most current version of TotalMD as we no longer support version 13 and older.
What do you mean you won’t “support” TotalMD 13 anymore?
TotalMD 13 and older versions are now several generations behind and lack some crucial updates that keep the software viable for the current environment. As such, we can no longer provide the support needed to keep the software useful to you.
Can TotalMD run on the new version of Windows?
Whenever a new update to Windows or Windows Server comes along, we frequently get calls asking if they can safely upgrade without harming their TotalMD install.
The simple answer is "Yes". TotalMD generally works fine on all versions of Windows spanning back to Windows XP and has had no problem transitioning to Windows 10.
That said, early adoption of the latest cutting edge software can potentially open you up to bugs we’ve not had a chance to test. If a new version of Windows releases, we advise waiting for a few months to make sure to avoid any unexpected hangups. Be sure to stay away from Beta software on office computers.
On a related note, Windows updates are strongly encouraged to stay current on. Security updates come out often every week, and they are critical to keeping your practice data safe and staying HIPPA compliant. However, every once in a while those updates can cause some permission settings to reset. This is generally easy to fix, but feel free to call TotalMD Support for help.
What about older versions of Windows?
Windows software going back to Windows XP and its equivalent Server 2003 are known to run TotalMD without significant issues.
However, Microsoft no longer offers security updates for Windows 7 and earlier. This means your computer may be at risk of security vulnerabilities and malware and, as such, may not be HIPPA compliant. Windows 8 in turn will reach its “end of life” on January 10, 2023. With Windows 10, Microsoft claims to be treating it as an ongoing service rather than a software release, and therefore has not set an end of life, provided you keep the software up-to-date.
Also, due to the evolving nature of software security, many functions like electronic eligibility and eclaim transmission may not be supported by older versions of Windows.
In simple terms, while TotalMD will function to some degree on most versions of Windows, we strongly encourage you to ensure your computers are up to date with the latest Windows 10 software.
Can TotalMD run on a Mac?
TotalMD requires a Windows platform to install and run on. If you are able to run Windows on your Mac through software like Parallels, you should be able to run TotalMD on it. However, we can not assist you with that process, and problems involving the software’s interaction with the hardware can’t be supported by TotalMD Support.
The more common solution is using our Cloud solution. Using the Microsoft Remote Desktop app, you can connect (over a reliable internet connection) to TotalMD as if you were running it directly on the desktop.
Can TotalMD be run on Linux?
Again, TotalMD needs a Windows platform. Wine is a popular solution that can allow Windows applications to run on a Linux platform. We have tested TotalMD running on this platform with moderate success, but it is not recommended and cannot be supported by TotalMD Support. Microsoft does not have an official version of Remote Desktop on Linux so with the exception of some untested third party options, the Cloud solution is likely a poor option as well.
While we’re at it, can I run it on my tablet or phone?
The Microsoft Remote Desktop app can be found in the app stores for both Android and iOS. This can allow you to access the TotalMD Cloud. Running TotalMD on a tablet or phone may or may not be worth the trouble to you. TotalMD is not designed to support touch-screen navigation, printing and file path navigation may not function as intended, and screen size could certainly be a force of frustration. However, in a pinch, it can certainly be used to access your TotalMD account while on the go.
How about these Chromebooks I keep hearing about?
Chromebooks run Google’s Chrome OS which is centered around the Chrome browser. However, most devices released since 2018 have Android app support and as such can support the Microsoft Remote Desktop Android app. Therefore, you should be able to access TotalMD’s Cloud software. This does not provide a fully featured solution, some functionality may be limited or missing, but with some setup could be a convenient solution for cases such as taking encounter notes or checking in patients.